Rekindling the robustness that rocketed them to all-Ireland laurels last season, Glenanne retained the Stephen Doyle Trophy by inflicting the first defeat of the new campaign on Pembroke Wanderers at the Iveagh Grounds yesterday. A stunning winning goal, too, marked the occasion as Graham Shaw made a diving, reverse-stick connection to a right-flank cross by Stephen Butler 10 minutes from the end.
It was an irony that such a fiery performance could be generated on such a soaking afternoon, but Glenanne's spirit was unquenchable from the start. Especially encouraging was the confident tackling of the newer figures at the back, Joe Brennan and Conor Lynch, as previously prolific Pembroke were closed down.
Alan Browne also played a storming game in a fierce midfield duel with Devin Donnelly. Overall, Glenanne found a sharper appetite for a final in which Pembroke were slow to rouse themselves. Indeed, Allan Kershaw was one of the few to match the eagerness of his rivals.
Even if subdued on the day, Pembroke recovered from conceding the lead to a drag flick from Butler in the opening quarter. Justin Sherriff hit a post from a short corner, but equalised from a set piece at the start of the second half. Glenanne, however, showed the greater durability, and after Butler had been foiled by a top-class save by Stephen Doran, his powerful surge from midfield yielded Shaw's spectacular winner.
GLENANNE - I Clarke; C Lynch, Rory O'Donoghue, J Brennan, C Murphy; S Butler, A Browne (capt), P Fitzpatrick; M Lambe, G Shaw, J Goulding. Sub: Roly O'Donoghue.
PEMBROKE WANDERERS - S Doran; M Tijs, A Kershaw, D McKeen, C Kelly (capt); T Dunne, D Donnelly, A Giles, S Stewart; J Sherriff, D Goode. Subs: P Carley, G Elliott, F de Rosa.
Umpires: M Canniffe, P Rainey.
